Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement Administration Colleges

About the Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement Administration Major

Criminal justice is
the study of all that's involved in criminal proceedings, including law
enforcement, corrections, and courts. Students graduate prepared for careers as
local, state, or federal law enforcement officers, corrections officers,
private security agents, court service professionals, or even for graduate
study in legal studies or law. With such interesting career prospects, it's probably not surprising to learn that criminal justice is one of the top 10
most popular majors chosen by student users on Cappex.

Criminal justice
students learn about the causes and effects of crime, how the criminal justice
system works, and how to apply this knowledge to effectively deal with issues
in the real world. Many programs feature classes that delve deeper to explore
elements of corrections, criminology, security, justice administration, and forensic
science. Many criminal justice programs are combined with or feature an
available concentration in criminology, a closely related subject that studies
the behavior of criminals, society, and criminal investigation and conviction.

Students often have
the opportunity to participate in internships with criminal justice agencies to
gain valuable, firsthand experience in the field.

Depending on their career goals, most criminal justice majors pursue an associate's or bachelor's degree; though there are career options available for those with only a high school diploma or GED. Those who intend to pursue a career in the field of law, such as a lawyer, would need three years of law school in addition to their undergraduate degree.